Istanbul Private Old Town and Shopping Tour in Grand Bazaar

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4 to 6 hours (approximately)
Offered in: English

Do you want to have a Private Tour on the History and Legends of Istanbul and have the chance to have a Personal Shopper in the Grand Bazaar?

Instead of being only a guide to tell stories I am looking forward to add personal interactions to the tour and curate routes for your needs in the Grand Bazaar (only if you want to shop)

We will learn the unknown details hidden behind the walls:

- Why only one Angel’s face is open but three other Angel’s faces are covered in Hagia Sophia?
- Who was Istanbul’s secret Viking visitor and what did he leave as a note to us?
- What is behind the walls of the Hippodrome?
- Which door was made of Noah’s Ark?
- Why there are more than 30.000 dead bodies under the main square of the city?
- Which minaret was made of jewelry?

All these questions and even more will be answered and covered with great storytelling. Also in case you want to shop on the side, you will find amazing vendors which you couldn't by yourself in the maze!

What's Included

Coffee and Tea and Water during the tour will be on me.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

We will meet at the entrance of Gülhane Park, there are different entrances of the park, we will be meeting at the entrance that faces the tram line, where there is also a stop called as Gülhane.

End point
Suleymaniye Mosque

We are ending at Süleymaniye Mosque, a.k.a the balcony of Istanbul.

Itinerary

Duration: 4 to 6 hours (approximately)
  • 1
    Gulhane Park

    This amazing park with full of roses and tulips was once the backyard of Ottomans, here we can take lovely pictures and breathe the atmosphere of a royal family garden.

    20 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 2
    Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque

    Hagia Sophia is the most remarkable historical site of the city. There are too many legends to talk about here, I will tell you the brief story of the temple and then go into details, one by one. The entrance of the place is 25 Euros and is not included in the price of the tour. If you want to go, you have to let me know beforehand so I can get the tickets in advance to avoid the lines. Then you will pay me the ticket prices in cash when we meet.

    20 minutes • Admission ticket not included
  • 3
    Sultanahmet Square

    This square was the main square of two big Empires, Roman Empire and Ottoman Empire and it still has the significant importance. I will tell you the whole story of it starting from Constantine the Great to nowadays. We will go on a terrace for taking pictures and talking generally about the whole history of the area.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 4
    Blue Mosque

    We will go into the Blue Mosque to envy the amazing tiles of the place and talk about the history of it.

    20 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 5
    Hippodrome

    We will be standing on the site of historical hipodrome and I will show you the remaining of the hipodome. Plus, there are going to be some interesting stories that I will be telling about whatever has happened on the area.

    20 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 6
    Column of Constantine

    The Avenue of Constantine the Great, we will learn why there is a column and what happened to the statue on it.

    10 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 7
    Grand Bazaar

    4.000 store marketplace. Almost 600 years old history. One of the most remarkable places in Istanbul. Here, you have a choice. If you were already planning to come to Grand Bazaar for shopping anyways, as I am an expert guide on the bazaar (You can see I have another tour just focusing on Shopping in Grand Bazaar), I will help you with your shopping and once your shopping is done we will end the tour here. In my expertise, the shortest shopping takes 2 hours. If you are not interested in shopping, then we will go on with the other places that are after here. However, in case you want to do shopping, you have to let me know beforehand so I can curate a personalized route for you in the bazaar. Of course, I will recommend you amazing stores with great quality and help you bargain. (Most of the guides do not bargain, just leave you at random stores and wait outside, I act more like a personal shopper.)

    15 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 8
    Beyazit Square

    In case you decide to not do shopping and go on with the other places to see, we will see one of the main squares of the Roman Empire and where Istanbul University is located now. We will be talking about the history around here and we will see so many cats on the venue.

    10 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 9
    Suleymaniye Mosque

    The Balcony of Istanbul. One of the most important and best viewed Imperial Mosques of Istanbul. We will finish our tour while resting with the beautiful view here. Again, we will only come here if you want to not do shopping in the bazaar.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Supplied by Istanbul Shopping Tours

Tags

Half-day Tours
Private Sightseeing Tours
Historical Tours
Shopping Tours
Walking Tours
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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